Arch support



Feb. 16, 1932. c. T. READ 1,845,681

ARCH SUPPORT Filed Feb. 15, 1.951

Fay 6 MW Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATEN r OFFICE CHARLES T. READ, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN ARCH SUPPORT Application filed February 13, 1931.

provide a positive support for the arch and with a tapering portion at the front end to fit beneath the metatarsus, whereby to properly retain the arch against dropping or fallm Another object of the present invention is the provision of a supporting member of the above character which may be formed of leather, rubber or suitable composition and is provided at its forward end where it projects beneath the metatarsus with a pointed or tapered portion which extends inwardly from both sides of the interior to a substantial point at the longitudinal center of the insert, providing two tapered side portions whlch assist in retaining the exterior agalnst 10ngitudinal movement when fitted within the bottom portion of a shoe.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an arch support of the above character, wherein the heel portion of the insert is slightly curved or formed with a depression to properly receive the specific shape of the heel and continues into the raised or thick portion adapted to fit beneath the arch of a foot and is reduced in thickness along one edge to properly conform to the shape of a persons foot to provide a comfortable supporting member within a shoe.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of an arch support constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of my improved support;

the shape of the Serial No. 515,461.

Figure is a longitudinal sectional View on theline33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an sideofthe support;

edge view, looking at one Figure 5, is a View similar to Figure 4,1001;-

in at the opposite side of the support;

* igure 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6 of Figure 3; and, Figure 7 is a 7-7 of F igure 3.

Referring more detailed section on the line particularly to the drawing, it will be notedthat I one of the main forms of have illustrated the invention,

wherein the device is constructed of rubber,

or suitable composition,

cut that the main portion of be formed of leather, with but it will be appar the support may a suitable underlining of canvas to retain the support against squeaklng when placed in a sho y he supporting member itself includes a heel portion 1, an intermediate portion 2 and" a front portion 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the heel sion 4 which is to the outlines of a pers heel, whenthe foot is p portion 1 is provided with a deprespreferably shaped to conform ons heel, so that the laced in a shoe, will rest easily within the depressed portion and position the arch of the foot directly over the substantially thick intermediate portion 5, the upper face of which is slightly curved longitudinally of the insert each end, as illustrated, so

portion of the ranged directly On the b thickness side thereof, the thick and tapers at that the main of the part 5 is arbeneath the instep of the foot. ottom portion of the insert at one portion 5 is indicated at 6, showing that the lower face of the thick portion is provided with surface preferably of the a substantially flat design shown, so

that this part will rest smoothly upon the instep of the shoe and cause the upper curved surface thereof to engage beneath the instep of a persons foot. The front portion 3, at the bottom of the insert, tapers forwardly at each side of the longitudinal center, as shown at 7, while a slightly raised ridge 8 extends alongthe longitudinal center, as shown, thus ringingthe front end at 9, which brings a the supporting member hen to a point indicated forward end of the eath the metatarsus,

and due to the tapering inclined portions 7 and the point 9, it reduces to a minimum the forward movement of the supporting member when placed within a shoe.

In the construction of a great many arch supports in use at the present time, the shape of the device has a tendency to cause the same to be moved forwardly in the shoe, while a person is walking, and displacing the supporting member from its correct position beneath the arch of a foot,sothat its usefulness is rendered inoperative. However, in the construction of my improved arch supporting device, it will be noted that the same is of such length, and theforward end thereof is of such construction, as to reduce to a minimum the movement of the same forward in the bottom of the shoe.

From this it will be apparent that the heel portion, as well as the arch portion will be maintained in their proper position, and be rgtained against longitudinal shifting inthe s oe.

In Figures 4 and 5, whereI have illustrated in elevation two opposite edges of the arch support, it will be noted that one side of the thick portion tapers transversely, as shown at 10, and the front end tapers off on both sides as indicated at 7 to form a comparatively thin front edge, tapered to the point 9. It is believed that an arch supporting device constructed in accordance with this invention will prove very beneficial for those suffering from fallen arches, as the supporting device is maintained in its correct position within the shoe and is prevented from shifting longitudinally which would necessarily move the supporting portion out of its correct position.

The device can be made up of various materials, such as leather, rubber, or suitable composition, and can be placed on the market and sold at a very low cost.

Attention is directed to the fact that due to 5 the curvature of certain parts of the device,

portions of the support will be spaced from thebottom of the shoe, while the foot is raised during the taking of each step and when the weight of the body is brought down on the top of the supporting device, it will compress these parts toward the bottom of the shoe. Ordinarly, the air which would be trapped beneath the supporting member, would pass out to the sides and up around i the sides of the foot. However, itwillbe noted that the body of the arch support is provided with a plurality of apertures 11 which are arranged at various positions rela-' tive to the device, so that as the weight of the body'compresses onto the supporting device,

the air beneath the same will pass up through the aperturesv and provide for a thorough circulation around the foot. This latter feature is very beneficial to feet which have a tend;

at the intermediate part one side formed with a substantially straight ency to perspire readily, as it will keep the feet in a comparatively dry condition.

I claim:

A foot support including an elongated body having a plurality of apertures therethrough, one end of the body being formed with a depressed portion to conform to the shape of the heel of a foot, a thick portion of the body having side wall, the other side of the relatively thick portion taperingoif toward the opposite side of the body, and the upper face of the thick portion being arcuately curved to conform to the correct curvature of the instep of a foot, and the end of the body opposite the depress on having oppositely disposed tapered portlons converging to a point, and the tapered portions each terminating ina comparatively thin edge.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wiscousin. 7

' CHARLES T. READ. 

